The Register and Chartulary of the Hospital of St Laurence, Canterbury

36 THE REGISTER AND OHARTULARY OF THE written in a hand characteristic of the early years of the fifteenth century. Fohos 1-8 contain the rules in Latin, divided into thirty-six chapters, of which the first twenty-four were the result of a revision made by Abbot Thomas Fyndon in 1294, and the remaining twelve were added by Abbot Thomas Colewell in 1356. Since most of the rules are repeated later, in the English version, it may suffice here to mention only those which do not occur there. No. 4. Though Abbot . . . (blank),1 ordained that the duties of the church should be shared by two priests, one must now suffice, owing to the badness of the times. No. 14. A rent issuing out of a house in the almonry shall be assigned for mamtaining a fight in the sisters' hall. No. 15. For decency's sake, and because of the infirmity of the inmates a laundress shall be employed once a month to wash theh clothes. No. 16. The master shall consult the inmates before altering or repairing the fabric of the hospital. No. 17. Since the wickedness of mankind increaseth daily, careful supervision should be given to the threshers after harvest. The corn also should be measured at winnowing time. No. 20. The inmates may keep some small Hve stock, such as fowls, geese, ducks, and pigs, both within and without the precincts of the hospital. No. 25. The Prioress may grant exeats to the lay brothers and sisters, in the name of the Master. The rules are followed by a copy of the oath of chastity, and obedience to the Abbot of St. Austin's, and to the Master and Prioress of the hospital, taken by the brothers and sisters on admission. Fohos 9 to 13, contain an account of the first foundation of the hospital by Abbot Hugh, with his endowment of nine acres of land whereon to build it " near the way which leads 1 Nicholas Thome to whose reforms reference has been made above.